NEW ORLEANS, La. — It was billed as a classic rematch, Alabama vs. Nebraska, after the Crimson Tide had whipped the Cornhuskers, 39-28, the year before in Miami and won the national championship in so doing.

The 1966 season found Alabama unbeaten in 10 straight games, but frustrated at the polls since Notre Dame and Michigan State had battled to a 10-10 tie and were 1-2 in the ratings.

When Alabama got through with Nebraska this day, though, it went down in history as the finest performance anyone had seen. Alabama completely thrashed a good Nebraska team, 34-7.

“This was the greatest college team I’ve ever seen,” said Bama’s Bear Bryant afterwards. Nebraska’s Bob Devaney certainly didn’t argue.

On the first play from scrimmage Kenny Stabler faded back and lofted a strike to streaking Ray Perkins and it was a 45-yard gain to the Husker 27. Seven plays later big Les Kelley bulled his way into the end zone.

The second time Bama had the ball, Stabler hit Perkins for a nine-yard gainer, then flipped to him again for a 42-yard gain to the Nebraska 20. After Stabler had connected to Dennis Homan for six yards, the crafty signal caller rolled out and sprinted 14-yards to score.

Before the first quarter was over Charlie Harris recovered a fumble at the 39 and Steve Davis kicked a 30-yard field goal making it 17-0. The Tide took over early in the second quarter and marched 71 yards in 10 plays with Wayne Trimble scoring from the six, making it 24-0.

Then in the third quarter another Davis field goal from 40 yards out, pushed it to 27-0. Game Nebraska, hitting harder as the game wore on, scored early in the fourth quarter when Bob Churchich passed to Dick Davis for a 15-yard touchdown.

Moments later, however, Stabler and Perkins renewed their act and the result was a 45-yard touchdown pass play. Stabler hit 12 of 17 passes for 218 yards, gained 40 more on the ground and was the MVP with Perkins a close second.